Designing Effective Meetings: How to Have More Productive Meetings with Fewer Frustrations

Meetings can be a powerful way to accomplish work and leverage the expertise of a group. However, they can also be a source of frustration and overwhelm when it comes to handling information and engaging participants. The process of designing a meeting is as important as its content. Facilitating effective meetings is a key way to demonstrate leadership, regardless of age or experience level. 

Attendees will learn to:

• Understand the importance of establishing a clear meeting intent and identifying essential attendees
• Apply meeting preparation techniques to enhance effectiveness
• Prepare yourself as a facilitator to keep meetings focused and on track
• Prepare yourself as a participant to contribute to a focused and productive meeting
• Access a meeting design template for your own use

Taryn Williams, an Associate Principal at Simpson Gumpertz & Heger (SGH), has over twenty years of experience in building envelope engineering and structural engineering. Her project work extends across the United States, including several National Register properties and National Historic Landmarks. Clients and colleagues value Taryn's grasp of both disciplines, as well as her diverse project experience, which includes building envelope investigations, construction claim investigations, condition assessments and repair designs for historic structures, seismic evaluations of existing buildings, and probable earthquake loss evaluations. Taryn's collaborative approach to project management results in clear communication and productive meetings with clients, colleagues, and team members. Her knowledge of and enthusiasm for engineering principles make her a natural teacher, and she enjoys writing and speaking engagements intended to educate clients, colleagues, industry professionals, and the public. Taryn is the Past President of the Association for Preservation Technology International (APTI) and the Past President of the Structural Engineers Association of Northern California (SEAONC).